Method And System For An Asymmetric Optical Phy Operation For Ethernet A/V Bridging And Ethernet A/V Bridging Extensions

ABSTRACT

A network device comprising an asymmetric, multi-rate, Ethernet, optical MAC and an asymmetric, multi-rate, Ethernet, optical PHY, communicates optical signals via a network utilizing NV bridging services. Higher bandwidth NV optical signals are communicated and lower bandwidth optical signals are received and/or vice versa. Optical signals may be communicated based on a plurality of different single mode Ethernet optical protocols and/or different multimode Ethernet optical protocols. Optical signals may be communicated at 10 Gbps in one direction and at a lower rate in a reverse direction. Extended range mode may be utilized. PDUs comprise time stamps, traffic class designations and/or destination addresses. Data rate requests, resource reservation messages and/or registration for delivery of PDUs may be communicated. Time stamps enable end to end transport within a specified latency target. Video signals may be compressed, uncompressed, encrypted, unencrypted and/or formatted for a video display interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application makes reference to and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/917870 (Attorney Docket No.18598US01), filed on May 14, 2007, entitled “Method and System forEthernet Audio/Video Bridging,” which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to high-speed communication.More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to amethod and system for an asymmetric optical PHY operation for EthernetA/V Bridging and Ethernet A/V Bridging extensions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The multimedia consumer electronics market is rapidly evolving withincreasingly sophisticated audio/video products. Consumers are becomingaccustomed to high definition video in their home entertainment centersas well as high end graphic capabilities on personal computers. Severalaudio/video interface standards have been developed to link a digitalaudio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, audio/videoreceiver, digital camera, game console or personal computer with anaudio/video rendering device such as a digital television, a highdefinition video display panel or computer monitor. Examples of digitalvideo interface technology available for consumer electronics compriseHigh-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Display Port, Digital VideoInterface (DVI) and Unified Display Interface (UDI) for example. Theseaudio/video interfaces may each comprise unique physical interfaces andcommunication protocols.

The IEEE 802.3 standard defines the (Medium Access Control) MACinterface and physical layer (PHY) for Ethernet connections at 10 Mbps,100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, and 10 Gbps data rates. Data rates and/or linkdistances may be improved however with more sophisticated componenttechnologies. In some cases, newer technologies may be incorporated toenhance the performance of legacy infrastructure. For example, laserdiodes with narrower bandwidth such as distributed feedback (DFB) lasersmay provide higher coupling efficiencies. Receiver sensitivity may beimproved by utilizing avalanche photodiodes (APD) rather thanP-intrinsic-N (PIN) diodes. Signal processing techniques such as clockrecovery and pre-emphasis may extend optical link range. Moreover, highperformance fiber properties may reduce impairments such as fiberattenuation, modal distortion and/or material dispersion that may limitthe data rate and/or the distance that an optical signal can traveleffectively.

As higher data rates are sought, Ethernet standards are developed tosupport higher transmission rates and/or greater transmission distancesover fiber infrastructure. Accordingly, various IEEE 802.3 standardshave been ratified for 10 Gigabit-per-second (Gbps) rates. 10GBASE-SRmay support short distance links between 26 m and 82 m utilizingmultimode fiber. However, link distances may vary according to thephysical properties of the fiber medium utilized. For example 10GBASE-SRmay achieve improved link distances up to 300 m when new 50 micron 2000MHz·km multimode fiber is utilized. Notwithstanding, 10GBASE-LRM maysupport distances up to 208 m over legacy multimode fiber. Long rangeoptical 10GBASE-LR and extended range optical 10GBASE-ER may supportdistances of 10 km and 40 km respectively over single mode fiber. Inanother IEEE 802.3 technology, 10GBASE-LX4 utilizes four separate lasersources each operating at 3.125 Gbps with coarse wavelength divisionmultiplexing (CWDM) to achieve an aggregate 10 Gbps rate. In thisregard, 10GBASE-LX4 may support link distances in the range of 240 m to300 m over multimode fiber or 10 km over single mode fiber. Even greaterspeeds may be achieved as present efforts exist within IEEE workinggroups for increasing transmission rates to 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps overexisting fiber. In addition, non-standard technologies such as1000BASE-ZX supporting 70 km links and 10GBASE-ZR supporting 80 km linksare in use. Furthermore, non-standard or intermediate data rates may beutilized to improve performance and/or create implantation efficiencies.For example, a 10 Gbps interface may be clocked at a lower rate such as2.5 Gbps or 5 Gbps. In this regard, a greater distance may be reachedwithout significant impairments to the optical signal. Alternatively,transmitter and/or receiver optical sub systems may be simplified due tothe lower rate traffic also without significant impairments to theoptical signal.

MAC layer processes may also enable higher transmission rates for audioand video data by addressing quality of service issues such as latencyrestrictions. For example, A/V Bridging (AVB) comprises a set ofspecifications, which define service classes (or AVB services) thatenable the transport of audio/video (NV) streams (and/or multimediastreams) across an AVB-enabled network (or AVB network) based onselected quality of service (QoS) descriptors. Specifications, whichenable the definition of AVB service classes, include the following.

A specification, which enables a set of AVB-enabled devices (or AVBdevices) within an AVB network to exchange timing information. Theexchange of timing information enables the devices to synchronize timingto a common system clock, which may be provided by a selected one of theAVB devices within the AVB network.

A specification, which enables an AVB destination device to register arequest for delivery of a specified AV stream from an AVB source device.In addition, an AVB source device may request reservation of networkresource, which enables the transmission of a specified AV stream. TheStream Reservation Protocol (SRP) defined within the specificationprovides a mechanism by which the AVB source device may register therequest to reserve resources within the AVB network (such as bandwidth)to enable the transmission of the specified AV stream. The MultipleMulticast Registration Protocol (MMRP) may enable an AVB destinationdevice to register the request for delivery of a specified AV stream.

A specification, which defines procedures by which AV streams aretransported across the AVB network. These procedures may include methodsfor the queuing and/or forwarding of the AV streams by individual AVBdevices within the AVB network.

A typical AVB network comprises a set of AVB devices, which arecollectively referred to as an AVB block. An AVB network may comprisewired or optical local area networks (LANs) and/or wireless LANs(WLANs), for example. Individual AVB devices within the AVB network mayinclude AVB-enabled endpoint computing devices (such as laptop computersand WLAN stations), AVB-enabled switching devices (AV switches) withinLANs and AVB-enabled access points (APs) within WLANs, for example.Within the AVB block, AV destination devices may request AV streams fromAV source devices, which may be transported across the AVB networkwithin specified latency target values as determined from the QoSdescriptors associated with delivery of the AV stream.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth inthe remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and/or method is provided for an asymmetric optical PHYoperation for Ethernet A/V Bridging and Ethernet A/V Bridgingextensions, substantially as shown in and/or described in connectionwith at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in theclaims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the presentinvention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, willbe more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system for transfer ofvideo and/or audio data wherein Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) services maybe implemented via an asymmetric Ethernet optical physical layer (PHY)connection, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system for transfer ofvideo, audio and/or auxiliary data via an optical network comprising oneor more intermediate nodes utilizing AVB services and an asymmetricEthernet optical physical layer (PHY) connection, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating exemplary processes utilized in AVBmanaged data transfers from an upstream link partner to a downstreamlink partner utilizing asymmetric Ethernet optical PHY technology, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an Ethernet system over fiberoptic cabling link between an upstream link partner and a downstreamlink transmitting asymmetric data traffic with AVB services, inconnection with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary Ethernet transceiverarchitecture comprising an asymmetric optical PHY, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and systemfor transmitting and receiving Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) streamsbetween devices wherein each device may comprise a Media Access Control(MAC) layer supporting AVB services and an asymmetric Ethernet opticalphysical layer (PHY). The MAC layer functions that support AVB mayenable the end-to-end transport of Ethernet frames based on specifiedlatency targets by initiating admission control procedures. Theasymmetrical Ethernet optical PHY functions may enable transmission ofAVB streams at a first data rate and reception of AVB streams at asecond data rate on each of an upstream device and a down stream device.The first data rate may be different from the second data rate. Forexample, the upstream device may transmit high bandwidth audio, video(A/V) and/or auxiliary data signals at a first data rate and receivelower bandwidth auxiliary data signals at a second data rate that may bea slower standard or non-standard data rate. Auxiliary data may comprisefor example control and/or configuration signals, input from peripheraldevices such as keyboards and/or mice, and/or information utilized forsecurity operations such as encryption keys for example.Notwithstanding, the downstream device may transmit the lower bandwidthauxiliary data signals at the first data rate and receive high bandwidthA/V and/or auxiliary signals at the second data rate.

Although AVB services may support video, audio and/or auxiliary datatransfers, the invention is not limited in this regard. For example, theAVB services may be utilized to support any latency or bandwidthsensitive data.

Various embodiments of the invention may enable more economicalsolutions for extending range and/or increasing the capacity of thefiber. For example, lower bandwidth upstream transmissions may benefitfrom signal processing techniques as well as transmitter, receiverand/or fiber technologies designed for higher data rates.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary system for transferringvideo, audio (NV) and/or auxiliary data via a network utilizingAudio/Video Bridging (AVB) by a media access control (MAC) layer and anasymmetric Ethernet optical physical layer (PHY) connection, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1A,there is shown a server 122, a video display panel 126, speakers 128 aand 128 b, a plurality of optical Ethernet links 132 a and 132 b, anoptical network 110, a digital musical instrument 123, speakers 125 andoptical Ethernet links 133 a and 133 b.

The server 122 may be, for example, a computer graphics or a videoserver and may operate within a computing cluster or may operate from aremote location via the optical network 110 and AVB services. In thisregard, the server 122 may be located in a central office for example.In some embodiments of the invention the server 122 may be generalpurpose computer for example a personal computer or laptop. The server122 may be enabled to operate within a public and/or private networksuch as a professional A/V service provider network, an enterprisenetwork and/or a personal network. In addition, the server 122 may beenabled to transfer HD multimedia data across optical network linksand/or nodes, to one or more destination devices. In this regard theserver 122 may be enabled to handle point to point communication as wellas point to multipoint communication. The server 122 may becommunicatively coupled to the video display panel 126 and speakers 128a and 128 b via the optical Ethernet links 132 a and 132 b and theoptical network 110. The server 122 may be enabled to transfer highbandwidth data, for example, A/V data to the video display panel 126 andspeakers 128 a and 128 b and receive lower bandwidth data from at leastthe video display panel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 b. The server 122may comprise an Ethernet media access control (MAC) layer forencapsulating data in Ethernet frames and to perform transmissioncontrol during data transfers. In this regard, the MAC layer may supportAudio/Video Bridging (AVB) services wherein end to end quality ofservice operations may be enabled according to traffic classdesignations associated with Ethernet frames. In addition, the server122 may comprise and asymmetric Ethernet optical PHY transceiver. Inother embodiments of the invention, the server 122 may be, for example,a personal computer, a DVD player, a video game console and/or an A/Vreceiver. The invention is not limited to these examples and maycomprise any suitable source of data.

The video display panel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 b may comprisesuitable logic, circuitry and or code to exchange information with theserver 122 via the optical Ethernet links 132 a and 132 b and theoptical network 110. Tasks performed by the video display panel 126 andspeakers 128 a and 128 b may comprise reception of Ethernet frames viathe optical Ethernet link 132 b and determination of the payload withinEthernet frames. For example, the payload may comprise A/V content thatmay be native video or A/V content that is formatted by a displayinterface process such as HDMI, Display Port or DVI. In addition, thevideo display panel and speakers 128 a and 128 b may extract theformatted or native A/V content from the Ethernet frames and may renderthe A/V content. In this regard, if the A/V data is formatted, the A/Vdata may comprise instructions for rendering the formatted video data onthe video display panel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 b, for example.Thus, various embodiments of the invention may enable the video displaypanel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 b to function as a “thin client”device that may not comprise high performance hardware and/or softwarecapabilities utilized in the generation of multimedia content for highperformance video and/or graphics applications. This in turn may enablethe rendering of high performance video and/or graphics on the remotevideo display panel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 b.

In addition, the video display panel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 bmay comprise an Ethernet MAC layer for encapsulating data in Ethernetframes and for administration of transmission to and reception from theserver 122 via optical Ethernet links 132 a, 132 b and the opticalnetwork 110. In this regard, the MAC layer may support Audio/VideoBridging (AVB) services wherein end to end quality of service operationsmay be applied according to traffic class designations associated withEthernet frames. Also, the video display panel 126 and speakers 128 aand 128 b may comprise an asymmetric Ethernet optical PHY transceiverlinked via the optical network 110 and optical Ethernet links 132 a and132 b. Moreover, the video display panel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128b may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and or code to process receivedA/V and/or auxiliary data from the server 122 for rendering.

The video display panel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 b may comprisesuitable logic circuitry, and/or code that may enable exchanging A/V andor auxiliary data with the server 122 via optical Ethernet links 132 a,132 b and the optical network 110 as well as rendering the video and/oraudio content. In this regard, the received data may compriseinstructions and/or control information that be utilized for therendering processes.

The optical Ethernet links 132 a, 132 b, 133 a and 133 b may comprisesuitable logic, circuitry and/or code to support asymmetric Ethernetoptical PHY operations. Exemplary optical Ethernet links may comprise anoptical wave guide or a fiber cable transmission medium made of glass orplastic fibers. Various material compositions and dimensionalrelationships within a fiber medium may improve the performance ofsignal transmissions by reducing distortion and attenuation of anoptical signal. The optical Ethernet links may comprise a single strandor multiple strands. In addition, the optical Ethernet links may besingle mode, for example, 100BASE-LX10 comprising two fibers,1000BASE-LX comprising two fibers, 100BASE-BX10, 1000BASE-BX10,1000BASE-ZX, 10GBASE-LR and 10GBASE-ER or the optical Ethernet links maybe multimode, for example 100BASE-LX10 comprising two fibers,1000BASE-SX, 10GBASE-SR and 10GBASE-LRM. The standard 10GBASE-LX4supports both multimode and single mode fiber. Signals may be imposed onthe fiber via modulated light from a laser or LED. The optical signalsmay be unidirectional within a fiber strand or may be bidirectionalwithin a fiber strand. Bidirectional standards may comprise100BASE-BX10, 1000BASE-BX10, 1000BASE-PX10 and 1000BASE-PX20 that havedifferent standards for upstream and downstream transmissions.

Moreover, the standards 1000BASE-PX10 and 1000BASE-PX20 may supportasymmetrical Ethernet optical PHY operations in a point to multipointdata exchange wherein downstream high data rate traffic may comprise a10 Gbps continuous data stream and the upstream low data rate trafficfrom multiple sources may be time division multiplexed. In anotherembodiment of the invention, wave division multiplexing may be utilizedto transmit high data rate A/V signals and auxiliary signals on thedownlink as well as carrying multiple lower bandwidth signals frommultiple sources on the uplink.

The optical Ethernet links 132 a, 132 b, 133 a and 133 b may be enabledto handle communications administered by quality of service mechanismsfor example NV Bridging. The optical Ethernet link 132 a may becommunicatively coupled with the server 122 and the optical network 110wherein asymmetrical optical traffic may be exchanged. The opticalEthernet link 132 b may be communicatively coupled with the opticalnetwork 110 and video display panel 126 and the speakers 128 a and 128 bwherein asymmetrical optical traffic may be exchanged. The opticalEthernet link 133 a may be communicatively coupled with the digitalmusical instrument 123 and the optical network 110 wherein asymmetricaloptical traffic may be exchanged. The optical Ethernet link 133 b may becommunicatively coupled with the optical network 110 and the speakers125 wherein asymmetrical optical traffic may be exchanged.

The optical network 110 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and orcode to transfer optical signals between one or more data source devicesfor example the server 122 and one or more data destination devices forexample the video display panel 126 and the speakers 128 a and 128 b.The optical network 110 may comprise one or more intermediate devices torestore, improve or direct an optical signal. Intermediate devices maycomprise an optical switch or bridge, an optical amplifier, anoptoelectronic repeater, a passive optical splitter, an add/dropmultiplexer, a wavelength converting transponder, an optical crossconnects The optical network 110 may support AVB services and one ormore of symmetric Ethernet optical PHY operations and/or asymmetricEthernet optical PHY operations according to an embodiment of theinvention. The optical network 110 may be communicatively coupled withthe server 122 display panel 126 and the speakers 128 a and 128 b, thedigital musical instrument 123 and the speakers 125 via the opticalEthernet links 132 a, 132 b, 133 a and 132 b respectively.

The digital musical instrument 123 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry and/or code to transfer audio data at a high data rate to, forexample, the speakers 125 via the optical network 110 and the opticalEthernet links 133 a and 133 b utilizing AVB services. In this regard,digital musical instrument 123 may comprise an Ethernet media accesscontrol (MAC) layer for encapsulating data in Ethernet frames andproviding transmission control to the speakers 125. In addition, the MAClayer within the digital musical instrument 123 may support Audio/VideoBridging (AVB) services wherein end to end quality of service operationsmay be enabled according to traffic class designations associated withEthernet frames. Moreover, the digital musical instrument 123 maycomprise an asymmetric Ethernet optical PHY transceiver wherein highdata rate audio may be transmitted to the optical network 110 and lowerdata rate signals comprising for example control, configuration and/orsecurity data, may be received from the optical network 110 via theoptical Ethernet link 133 a. Accordingly, the speaker system 125 mayreceive the high data rate audio signals from the optical network 110and transmit the lower data rate signals to the optical network 110 viathe optical Ethernet link 133 b.

In operation, the server 122 may comprise A/V and/or auxiliary data thatmay enable rendering of the A/V data on the video display panel 126 andspeakers 128 a and 128 b. A user may request a transfer of A/V data fromthe upstream server 122 via the optical network 110 to the down streamvideo display panel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 b. The server 122 mayprocess the A/V data prior to transmission. For example, the A/V datamay comprise native video or may be formatted by a display interfaceprocess such as HDMI, Display Port or DVI along with auxiliary data forexample. A MAC layer within the server 122 may convert the A/V and/orauxiliary data to Ethernet frames and assign the Ethernet frames atraffic class. The MAC layer within the server 122 may utilize AudioVideo Bridging (AVB) to enable timely transmissions of the Ethernetframes to the video display panel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 bwithin specified latency constraints.

The asymmetric Ethernet optical PHY transceiver may receive the Ethernetframes, convert the electrical signal to an optical signal and transmitthe optical signal via the optical Ethernet link 132 a to the opticalnetwork 110. The optical network 110 may receive the one or moreEthernet frames via a symmetric Ethernet optical PHY or an asymmetricEthernet optical PHY transceiver. A MAC layer within the optical network110 may administer transmission of the Ethernet frames to the videodisplay panel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 b according to thespecified latency constraints via a symmetric Ethernet optical PHY or anasymmetric Ethernet optical PHY. In this regard, the video display panel126 and speakers 128 a and 128 b may perform signal processingoperations on the received optical signal and convert the optical signalto an electrical signal within an asymmetric Ethernet optical PHYtransceiver. A MAC layer within the video display panel 126 and speakers128 a and 128 b may convert the Ethernet frames back to the videointerface format such as HDMI, Display Port, DVI or native video and theA/V data may be rendered.

Although the A/V and/or auxiliary data may be processed by the server122 via a display interface, for example HDMI, Display Port or DVI, suchthat it may be intended for device to device data exchange and may notbe network aware nor comprise a means of network identification (forexample a network destination address), the A/V and/or auxiliary datamay be encapsulated within Ethernet frames at, for example, in theserver 122 and transported via optical Ethernet links 132 a and 132 band the optical network 110. The encapsulated A/V and/or auxiliary datamay be decapsulated at a destination device such as the video displaypanel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 b. Accordingly, in variousembodiments of the invention, the point to point oriented displayinterface traffic may be received by the video display panel 126 andspeakers 128 a and 128 b as though the video display panel 126 andspeakers 128 a and 128 b were directly attached to the server 122.

In addition, the video display panel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 bmay transmit lower bandwidth data upstream. The lower bandwidth data maycomprise service requests, control information and/or security operationcommunications for example. The invention is not limited in this regardand any other suitable lower bandwidth data may be communicated on theupstream links.

The upstream lower bandwidth data may be passed to the MAC layer of thevideo display panel 126 and speakers 128 a and 128 b that may generateone or more Ethernet frames and schedule transmission of the Ethernetframes to the optical network 110. The asymmetric Ethernet optical PHYtransceiver within the video display panel 126 and speakers 128 a and128 b may process the Ethernet frames, convert the electrical signal toan optical signal and transmit the Ethernet frames via optical signal onthe optical Ethernet link 132 b to the optical network 110. The opticalnetwork 110 may receive the optical signal from the video display panel126 and speakers 128 a and 128 b via a symmetric Ethernet optical PHY oran asymmetric Ethernet optical PHY transceiver and convert the opticalsignal carrying the Ethernet frames back to an electrical signal. A MAClayer within the optical network 110 may schedule transmission of theEthernet frames and the Ethernet frames may be transmitted via asymmetric Ethernet optical PHY or an asymmetric Ethernet optical PHYtransceiver within to the server 122. In this regard, the server 122 mayperform signal processing operations on the received optical signal andconvert the optical signal to an electrical signal carrying the Ethernetframes. The MAC layer within the server 122 may decapsulate the lowerbandwidth data and the data may be processed for operations residingwithin the server 122.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network thatsupports Audio/Video Bridging (AVB) services and asymmetrical Ethernetoptical PHY communications in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 1B, there is shown an AVB server 122, aplurality of AVB optical Ethernet bridges 110 a and 110 b, a pluralityof AVB display panels 126 a, 126 b, 126 c and 126 d and a plurality ofoptical Ethernet links 132 a, 132 b, 132 c, 132 d, 132 f and 132 g.

The AVB server 122 in FIG. 1B may be similar or substantially the sameas the server 122 in FIG. 1A. The AVB display panels 126 a, 126 b, 126 cand 124 d may each be similar to or substantially the same as the videodisplay panel 124 and speakers 128 a and 128 b shown in FIG. 1A. Theoptical Ethernet links 132 a, 132 b, 132 c, 132 d, 132 f and 132 g maybe similar to or substantially the same as the Ethernet links 132 a, 132b, 133 a and 133 b in FIG. 1A.

The optical AVB bridges 110 a and 110 b may comprise suitable logic,circuitry and/or code that may enable AVB services within an AVB networkfor example, a local area network (LAN). The optical AVB bridges 110 aand 110 b may be configured to transmit and/or receive Ethernet framesvia optical Ethernet links wherein the optical Ethernet links may becoupled to distinct optical ports within the optical AVB bridges 110 aand 110 b. For example, the optical AVB bridge 110 a may receive and/ortransmit Ethernet frames via optical Ethernet links 132 a, 132 b, 132 cand 132 d. The optical AVB bridge 110 a may communicate with the opticalAVB bridge 110 b via the optical Ethernet link 132 d. The optical AVBbridge 110 a may communicate with the AVB display panel 126 a and 126 bvia the optical Ethernet links 132 b and 132 c, respectively, as well asthe AVB server 122 via the optical Ethernet link 132 a. Moreover, theoptical AVB Ethernet bridges 110 a and 110 b may comprise opticalEthernet PHY transceivers that may be enabled to handle symmetric and/orasymmetric optical traffic. In addition, the optical AVB bridge 110 bmay be coupled to distinct optical ports within the AVB display panels126 c and 124 d and may be enabled to transmit and/or receive Ethernetframes with AVB display panels 126 c and 124 d via optical Ethernetlinks 132 f and 132 g respectively.

Notwithstanding, one or more of the AVB server 122, AVB display panels126 a, 126 b, 126 c and 126 d and optical AVB bridges 110 a and 110 bmay comprise asymmetric Ethernet optical PHY transceivers wherein highbandwidth data may be transmitted downstream from the server 122 to oneor more of the AVB display panels 126 a, 126 b, 126 c and 126 d whilelower bandwidth data for example auxiliary data may be transmittedupstream from one or more of the AVB display panels 126 a, 126 b, 126 cand 126 d to the server 122.

In operation, the AVB server 122 may be enabled to exchange optical AVBdata streams with one or more AVB display panels 126 a, 126 b, 126 c and126 d via the optical Ethernet links 132 a, 132 b, 132 c, 132 d, 132 f,132 g and optical AVB bridges 110 a and 110 b wherein one or more of theAVB devices may comprise asymmetric Ethernet optical PHY transceivers.For example, the AVB server 122 may exchange AVB data with one AVBdisplay panel and/or may communicate and multi-cast opticaltransmissions with a plurality of participating AVB display panels.

In various embodiments of the invention, AVB devices comprising the AVBserver 122, AVB display panels 126 a, 126 b, 126 c and 126 d and/oroptical AVB bridges 110 a and 110 b may associate with each other basedon an exchange of logical link discovery protocol (LLDP) messages, whichmay be periodically transmitted from the respective devices. The LLDPmessages describe the attributes of the device that transmits themessage. For example, the AVB server 122 may transmit LLDP messages,which describe the attributes of the AVB server 122 via optical Ethernetlink 132 a. Similarly, the optical AVB bridge 110 a may transmit LLDPmessages, which describe the attributes of the optical AVB bridge 110 avia optical Ethernet links 132 a, 132 b, 132 c and 132 d. In asubstantially similar manner, the optical AVB bridge 110 b and AVBdisplay panels 126 a, 126 b, 126 c and 126 d may transmit one or moreLLDP messages that may describe their respective attributes via theirrespective coupled optical Ethernet links.

The LLDP messages may comprise a “time-synch” capable attribute and anAVB-capable attribute. An AVB enabled device such as the server 122, AVBdisplay panels 126 a, 126 b, 126 c and 126 d and optical AVB bridges 110a and 110 b, that receives an LLDP message, that may comprise thetime-synch-capable attribute and AVB-capable attribute via an opticalport, may label the optical port to be an “AVB” port. Labeling theoptical port to be an AVB port may enable the AV device to utilize AVBservices. The AVB devices, which may be reachable via the optical port,may be referred to as “participating” devices. The participating devicesmay utilize AVB services and may be enabled to transmit optical AVBstreams among the participating AVB device.

Prior to transmitting the AVB data streams, a source of the transmissionfor example the AVB server 122 may propagate requests for reservation ofresources among the participating AVB devices. The reservation messagemay comprise a set of reservation parameters, for example, QoSdescriptors based on a traffic class designation. AVB devices enabled toreceive the transmitted AVB data streams, for example, one or more ofthe AVB display panels 126 a, 126 b, 126 c and 126 d may registerrequests for delivery of the AVB streams. The invention is not limitedin this regard, for example, a client may be the source of an auxiliarydata stream transmission and may propagate a request for reservation ofresources while the server 122 and/or another participating device mayregister a request for delivery of the auxiliary data stream.

Ethernet frames may comprise time stamps which may enable the AVBnetwork to transport the Ethernet frames along an end to end path from adata source to a data destination such that the latency of the transportalong the path may be within specified latency targets or desiredvalues. For example, the path from the AVB server 122 to the AVB displaypanel 126 c may comprise the Ethernet link 132 a, the AVB optical AVBbridge 110 a, the Ethernet link 132 d, the AVB optical AVB bridge 110 band the Ethernet link 132 f. Along the path, the AVB optical AVB bridge110 a may utilize the time stamps to determine a time interval forqueuing and forwarding of Ethernet frames received via the interface 132a and forwarded via the interface 132 d. Similarly, the AVB optical AVBbridge 110 b may utilize the time stamps to determine a time intervalfor the queuing and forwarding of Ethernet frames received via theEthernet interface 132 d and forwarded via the interface 132 f.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating exemplary transfer of video, audio(A/V) and/or auxiliary data traffic across an optical network utilizingAudio/Video Bridging (AVB), in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a data source computingdevice 260 comprising a digital A/V and/or auxiliary data block 202, aMAC client block 204, a timing shim block 206, an Ethernet MAC block 208and a MAC/PHY interface block 210, an optical PHY physical codingsub-layer (PCS) block 212, an optical PHY physical medium attachment(PMA) block 214 and an optical PHY physical medium dependent (PMD) block216. In addition, an optical AVB bridge 110 may comprise an optical PHYPMD block 220, an optical PHY PMA block 222, an optical PHY PCS block224, a MAC/PHY interface block 226, an Ethernet MAC block 228 a, atiming shim 229 a, a timing shim 229 b an Ethernet MAC block 228 b, aMAC/PHY interface block 230, an optical PHY PCS block 232, an opticalPHY PMA block 234 and an optical PHY PMD block 236. Moreover, a datadestination computing device 280 may comprise an optical PHY PMD block240, an optical PHY PMA block 242, an optical PHY PCS block 244, MAC/PHYinterface block 246, an Ethernet MAC block 248 and a timing shim 250.Specific process layers higher than the MAC level may be varied amongdifferent embodiments of the invention and are not shown in FIG. 2.

The data source computing device 260 and the data destination computingdevice 280 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that mayenable handling A/V and/or auxiliary data. In addition, the data sourcecomputing device 260 and the data destination device 280 may utilizeAudio/Video Bridging (AVB) services. In one aspect of the invention, thedata source computing device 260 may be an upstream link partner whereinan asymmetrical Ethernet optical PHY transceiver may be configured totransmit high frequency data, for example, A/V and/or auxiliary data andreceive lower frequency auxiliary data. Accordingly, the datadestination device 280 may be a downstream link partner wherein anasymmetrical Ethernet optical PHY may be configured to receive highfrequency data, for example, NV and/or auxiliary data and transmit lowerfrequency auxiliary data. In this regard, the data source computingdevice 260 may be similar or substantially the same as the server 122described in FIG. 1A and the data destination computing device 280 maybe similar or substantially the same as the video display panel 126 andspeakers 128 a and 128 b described in FIG. 1A for example.

In another embodiment of the invention, the data source computing device260 may be a downstream link partner wherein an asymmetrical Ethernetoptical PHY transceiver may be configured to transmit lower frequencydata, for example, auxiliary data and receive high frequency data, forexample, A/V and/or auxiliary data. Accordingly, the data destinationdevice 280 may be an upstream link partner wherein an asymmetricalEthernet optical PHY may be configured to receive low frequency data,for example, auxiliary data and transmit high frequency A/V and/orauxiliary data. In this regard, the data source computing device 260 maybe similar or substantially the same as the video display panel 126 andspeakers 128 a and 128 b and the data destination device 280 may besimilar or substantially the same as the server 122 described in FIG. 1Afor example.

The optical AVB bridge 110 may be similar or substantially the same asthe optical bridges 110 a and/or 110 b in FIGS. 1A and/or 1B.

The digital A/V and/or auxiliary data 202 may be stored in memory and/ormay be generated by one or more applications that may be executingwithin the data source computing device 260. The digital A/V and/orauxiliary data 202 may be encrypted or unencrypted and may be compressedor uncompressed. The digital video, audio and/or auxiliary data 202 maybe passed to the MAC client 204.

In some embodiments of the invention, the digital A/V and/or auxiliarydata 202 may be passed to a display interface encapsulation processwherein the digital A/V and/or auxiliary data 202 may be encapsulatedinto a format such as HDMI, Display Port or DVI for example. The displayinterface encapsulated digital A/V and/or auxiliary data 202 maycomprise instructions to enable rendering of the A/V data on the datadestination computing device 280. In addition, the digital A/V and/orauxiliary data 202 may be encapsulated into an Ethernet payload format.Accordingly, Ethernet payloads may comprise compressed, uncompressed,packetized, unpacketized, encapsulated, decapsulated or otherwiseprocessed data so as to be formatted as one or more video or multimediastreams. For example, one or more of IP datagrams, HDMI datastreams, DVIdatastreams, DisplayPort datastreams, raw video, and/or raw audio/videomay be converted to an Ethernet payload. The Ethernet payload may bepassed to the MAC client block 204.

The MAC client block 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/orcode that may enable reception of digital A/V and/or auxiliary data 202and/or the Ethernet payloads and may enable encapsulation of the digitalA/V and/or auxiliary data 202 and/or the Ethernet payloads in one ormore Ethernet frames. The Ethernet frames may be passed to the timingshim 206.

The timing shim 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or codethat may enable reception of Ethernet frames the MAC client block 204.The timing shim 206 may append time synchronization information, such asa time stamp, to the Ethernet frames. The timing shim 206 may, forexample, append a time stamp when an Ethertype field within the Ethernetframe indicates that the Ethernet frame is enabled to utilize AVBcapabilities for transport across a network. The timing shim 206 maypass the appended Ethernet frames to the Ethernet MAC 208.

The Ethernet MAC 208 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and or codethat may enable addressing and/or access control to an optical networkand may enable the transmission of the Ethernet frames via an opticalnetwork. In this regard, the Ethernet MAC 208 may be enabled to buffer,prioritize, or otherwise coordinate the transmission and/or reception ofdata via the MAC/PHY interface 210. The Ethernet MAC 208 may be enabledto perform additional packetization, depacketization, encapsulation, anddecapsualtion of data. The Ethernet MAC 208 may enable generation ofheader information within the Ethernet frames, which enable theutilization of AVB services within a network for transport of theEthernet frames. The Ethernet MAC 208 may also enable traffic shaping oftransmitted Ethernet frames by determining time instants at whichEthernet frames may be transmitted to an optical network. The EthernetMAC 208 may also enable generation of header information within theEthernet frames, which utilize conventional Ethernet services. Theconventional Ethernet services may not utilize traffic shaping and/orAVB services for example. The Ethernet MAC 208 may pass the Ethernetframes and/or link management control signals to the MAC/PHY interface210.

The MAC/PHY interface may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or codeto enable data transfers between the Ethernet MAC 208 and the opticalPHY PCS 212. The MAC/PHY interface may, for example, comprise a transmitbus and/or a receive bus that may transfer parallel bits of data betweenthe Ethernet MAC 208 and the optical PHY PCS 212. The number of bitstransferred depends on which IEEE Ethernet standard or non-standardscheme is utilized for an embodiment of the invention.

The optical PHY PCS 212 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/orcode to receive data from the MAC/PHY interface and transmit data to theoptical PHY PMA 214 and/or receive data from the optical PHY PMA 214 andtransmit data to the optical MAC/PHY 210. In this regard, the opticalPHY PCS 212 may manage resource contention in embodiments of theinvention that may carry multiple streams of data per optical Ethernetlink. In addition, the optical PHY PCS 212 may encode data received fromthe MAC/PHY interface 210 to maintain DC balance and enhance errordetection and/or may decode data received from the optical PHY PMA 214.In various embodiments of the invention, the optical PHY PCS 212 mayenable serialization/de-serialization of data. In this regard, duringserialization, parallel data received from the MAC/PHY interface 210 maybe converted to serial data for transmission to the optical PHY PMA 214.During deserialization, serial data received from the optical PHY PMA214 may be converted to parallel for transmission to the MAC/PHYinterface 210.

The optical PHY PMA 214 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and orcode to receive data from the optical PHY PCS 212 and transmit data tothe optical PHY PMD 216 and/or receive data from the optical PHY PMD 216and transmit data to the optical PHY PCS 212. In various embodiments ofthe invention, the PHY PMA 214 rather than the optical PHY PCS 212 mayperform the serialize/de-serialize operations. In addition, the opticalPHY PMA 214 may recover clock information from encoded data supplied bythe optical PHY PMD 216. Moreover, the PHY PMA 214 may map bits from onelayer to another.

The optical PHY PMD 216 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and orcode to receive data from the optical PHY PMA 214 and transmit data tothe optical AVB bridge 110 and/or receive data from the optical AVBbridge 110 and transmit data to the optical PHY PMA 212. The optical PHYPMD 216 may convert electrical signals to optical signals and/or opticalsignals to electrical signals. In this regard, a transmittersub-assembly may comprise a light source such as a light emitting diode(LED) or a laser diode for example, that may impress an optical signalon a fiber medium and enable transport of the Ethernet frames to the AVBbridge 110 utilizing AVB services. Moreover, a receiver sub-assembly mayconvert optical signals received from the AVB bridge 110 to electricalsignals. In this regard, the receiver may comprise a photo diode todetect and convert the optical signals to electrical signals forexample.

The optical PHY PMD blocks 220, 236 and 240, the optical PHY PMA blocks222, 234 and 242, the optical PHY PCS blocks 224, 232 and 244 and theMAC/PHY interface blocks 226, 230 and 246 may be similar orsubstantially the same as the optical PHY PMD 216, optical PHY PMA 214,the optical PHY PCS 212 and the MAC/PHY interface 210 respectively.Moreover, the Ethernet MAC 228 a, 228 b and 248 may be similar orsubstantially the same as the Ethernet MAC 208.

Optical signals may be received by the optical AVB bridge 110 from thedata source computing device 260 via the optical PHY PMD block 220 thatmay convert the optical signals to electrical signals of encoded dataand may pass the encoded data to the optical PHY PMA block 222. Theencoded data may be processed and passed to the optical PHY PMA block222. The encoded data may be passed to the optical PHY PCS block 224where it may be decoded and passed to the MAC/PHY interface 226. TheMAC/PHY interface may pass the data to the Ethernet MAC 228 a

The Ethernet MAC 228 a may enable the Ethernet bridge 110 to receive theEthernet frames from the data source computing device 260 and maydetermine that the data destination computing device 280 is thedestination for receipt of the Ethernet frames. The Ethernet frame maybe sent to the timing shim 229 that may extract the time synchronizationinformation appended to the Ethernet frame and may append updated timesynchronization information. The Ethernet MAC layer 228 b may utilizetime stamp information and quality of service descriptors to schedulethe transmission of the Ethernet frames to the data destination device280. The MAC 228 b may pass the Ethernet frames to the MAC/PHY interfaceblock 230. The optical PHY blocs PCS 232, PMA 234 and PMD 236 mayprocess the data in operations similar to or substantially the same asin optical PHY blocks PCS 212, PMA 214 and PMD and transmit an opticalsignal to the data destination computing device 280.

Accordingly, the optical signals may be received and processed in theoptical PHY blocks PMD 240, PMA 242, PCS 244 and MAC/PHY interface 246may process the data in operations similar to or substantially the sameas in blocks PMD 220, PMA 222, PCS 224 and MAC/PHY interface 226.Ethernet frames from the MAC/PHY interface 226 may be sent to theEthernet MAC 248. The Ethernet MAC 248 may extract the Ethernet payloadsand information comprised in fields of the Ethernet frames as well asany information comprised within additional encapsulation fields ifpresent, for example, display interface fields and may reconstruct thedigital video/audio/auxiliary data according to information therein. TheMAC layer may determine the type of data extracted and/or reconstructedfrom the frame and/or encapsulation fields and may process, store and/orforward the data accordingly. The MAC layer may determine that data maybe forwarded to higher level applications for rendering of the videoand/or audio content. The timing shim 250 may extract timesynchronization information from the Ethernet frame.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an Ethernet system over anoptical fiber cabling link between an upstream link partner and adownstream link partner for asymmetric data traffic supported by AudioVideo Bridging (AVB) services, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a system 300 thatcomprises an upstream link partner 302 and a downstream link partner304. The upstream link partner 302 may comprise a host processing block306 a, a medium access control (MAC) controller 308 a, and an opticaltransceiver 304 a. The downstream link partner 304 may comprise adisplay video processing block 306 b, a MAC controller 308 b, and anoptical transceiver 310 b. Notwithstanding, the invention is not limitedin this regard.

The upstream link partner 302 and the downstream link partner 304communicate via one or more fiber cables 312. The fiber cables 312 maybe similar or substantially the same as the optical Ethernet links 132a, 132 b 133 a and 133 b described in FIG. 1A.

The transceiver 310 a may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/orcode that may enable asymmetric Ethernet optical communication, such astransmission and reception of data, for example, between the upstreamlink partner 302 and the downstream link partner 304, for example. Inthis regard, the transceiver 310 a may enable optical transmission at ahigh data rate to the downstream link partner 304 while also enablingreception at a low data rate from the downstream link partner 304.Similarly, the transceiver 310 b may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,and/or code that may enable asymmetric Ethernet optical communicationbetween the downstream link partner 304 and the upstream link partner302, for example. In this regard, the transceiver 310 b may enableoptical transmission at a low data rate to the upstream link partner 302while also enabling reception at a high data rate from the upstream linkpartner 302.

The data transmitted and/or received by the optical transceivers 310 aand 310 b may be formatted in a manner that may be compliant with thewell-known OSI protocol standard, for example. The OSI model partitionsoperability and functionality into seven distinct and hierarchicallayers. Generally, each layer in the OSI model is structured so that itmay provide a service to the immediately higher interfacing layer. Forexample, layer 1, or physical (PHY) layer, may provide services to layer2 and layer 2 may provide services to layer 3. In this regard, thetransceiver 310 a may enable optical PHY layer operations that areutilized for asymmetric data communication with the downstream linkpartner 304. Moreover, the optical transceiver 310 a may enable PHYlayer operations that are utilized for asymmetric data communicationwith the upstream link partner 302.

The optical transceivers 310 a and 310 b may enable asymmetriccommunications. In this regard, the data rate in the upstream and/or thedownstream direction may be <10 Mbps, 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1000 Mbps (or 1Gbps) and/or 10 Gbps, or any suitable data rate for example. The opticaltransceivers 310 a and 310 b may support standard-based asymmetric datarates and/or non-standard asymmetric data rates. The opticaltransceivers 310 a and 310 b may utilize wave division multiplexing(WDM) where multiple data streams are carried on a plurality ofmultiplexed optical channels or carrier wavelengths within an opticalsignal's bandwidth. The optical transceivers 310 a and 310 b are notlimited with regard to modulation and/or demodulation techniques and mayutilize any suitable form of modulation and/or demodulation.

The optical transceivers 310 a and 310 b may be configured to handle allthe physical layer requirements, which may include, but are not limitedto, encoding/decoding data, data transfer, serialization/deserialization(SERDES) and optical-electrical conversion in instances where such anoperation is required. Data packets received by the optical transceivers310 a and 310 b from MAC controllers 308 a and 308 b, respectively, mayinclude data and header information for each of the above six functionallayers. The optical transceivers 310 a and 310 b may be configured toencode data packets that are to be transmitted over the fiber cables 312and/or to decode data packets received from the fiber cables 312.

The MAC controller 308 a may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/orcode that may enable handling of data link layer, layer 2, operabilityand/or functionality in the upstream link partner 302. Similarly, theMAC controller 308 b may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or codethat may enable handling of layer 2 operability and/or functionality inthe downstream link partner 304. The MAC controllers 308 a and 308 b maybe configured to implement Ethernet protocols, such as those based onthe IEEE 802.3 standard, for example. In various embodiments of theinvention, one or more optical nodes, for example one or more opticalEthernet bridges, may be communicatively coupled to the upstream linkpartner 302 and the downstream link partner 304 such that data streamsmay be transported between the link partners via the one or more opticalnodes. In this regard, Audio/Video Bridging protocol such as IEEE802.1AS may be utilized to synchronize the upstream link partner 302 andthe downstream link partner 304. Accordingly, an Audio/Video Bridgingprotocol such as IEEE 802.1Qat may be utilized to reserve resources forthe data streams. Optical nodes comprised within the reserved path mayimplement IEEE 802.1Qav to govern forwarding and queuing of timesensitive data. Notwithstanding, the invention is not limited in thisregard.

The MAC controller 308 a may communicate with the transceiver 310 a viaan interface 314 a and with the host processing block 306 a via a buscontroller interface 316 a. The MAC controller 308 b may communicatewith the transceiver 310 b via an interface 314 b and with the displayvideo processing block 306 b via a bus controller interface 316 b. Theinterfaces 314 a and 314 b correspond to Ethernet interfaces thatcomprise protocol and/or link management control signals. The interfaces314 a and 314 b may be asymmetric interfaces. The bus controllerinterfaces 316 a and 316 b may correspond to PCI or PCI-X interfaces.Notwithstanding, the invention is not limited in this regard.

The host processing block 306 a and the display video processing block306 b may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code to enablegraphics processing and/or rendering operations. The host processingblock 306 a and/or the display video processing block 306 b may comprisededicated graphics processors and/or dedicated graphics renderingdevices. The host processing block 306 a and the display videoprocessing block 306 b may be communicatively coupled with the MAC 308 aand the MAC 308 b respectively via the bus controller interfaces 316 aand 316 b respectively.

In an embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3, the hostprocessing block 306 a and the display video processing block 306 b mayrepresent layer 3 and above, the MAC controllers 308 a and 308 b mayrepresent layer 2 and above and the transceivers 310 a and 310 b mayrepresent the operability and/or functionality of layer 1 or an opticalPHY layer. In this regard, the host processing block 306 a and thedisplay video processing block 306 b may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, and/or code that may enable operability and/or functionalityof the five highest functional layers for data packets that are to betransmitted over the cable 312. Since each layer in the OSI modelprovides a service to the immediately higher interfacing layer, the MACcontrollers 308 a and 308 b may provide the necessary services to thehost processing block 306 a and the display video processing block 306 bto ensure that data are suitably formatted and communicated to theoptical transceivers 310 a and 310 b. During transmission, each layermay add its own header to the data passed on from the interfacing layerabove it. However, during reception, a compatible device having asimilar OSI stack may strip off the headers as the message passes fromthe lower layers up to the higher layers.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary Ethernet opticaltransceiver architecture comprising an asymmetric optical PHY, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4,there is shown a link partner 400 that may comprise an opticaltransceiver 402, a MAC controller 404, a host processing block 406, aninterface 408, and a bus controller interface 410 and an optionalwavelength multiplexer 420.

The optical transceiver 402 may be an integrated device that comprisesan optical physical media dependent (PMD) receiver 412, an optical PMDtransmitter 414 and an optional wavelength multiplexer 420. Theoperation of the optical transceiver 402 may be the same as orsubstantially similar to the optical transceivers 310 a and 310 b asdescribed in FIG. 3. For example, when the optical transceiver 402 isutilized in an upstream link partner, the optical transceiver 402 mayenable a high rate for data transmission and a low rate for datareception. In another example, when the optical transceiver 402 may beutilized in a downstream link partner, the transceiver 402 may enable alow rate for data transmission and a high rate for data reception. Inthis regard, the optical transceiver 402 may provide layer 1 or opticalPHY layer operability and/or functionality that may enable asymmetricdata traffic.

Similarly, the operation of the MAC controller 404, the host processingblock 406, the interface 408, and the bus controller 410 may be similaror substantially the same as the respective MAC controllers 308 a and308 b, the host processing block 306 a and the display video processingblock 306 b, interfaces 314 a and 314 b, and bus controller interfaces316 a and 316 b as disclosed in FIG. 3. In this regard, the MACcontroller 404, the host processing block 406, the interface 408, andthe bus controller 410 may enable different data transmission and/ordata reception rates when implemented in an upstream link partner or adownstream link partner. The MAC controller 404 may comprise aninterface 404 a that may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or codeto enable communication with the optical transceiver 402 at a pluralityof data rates via the interface 408.

The asymmetric optical transceiver 402 may comprise suitable logic,circuitry, and/or code that may enable operability and/or functionalityof optical PHY layer requirements for asymmetric data traffic. Theasymmetric optical transceiver 402 may communicate with the MACcontroller 404 via the interface 408. The asymmetric optical transceiver402 may be configured to perform the physical coding sub layer (PCS) andphysical media attachment (PMA) processes described in FIG. 2. Invarious embodiments of the invention, the asymmetric optical transceiver402 may handle one or more serial data lanes for transmitting andreceiving data from the optical PMD transmitter 414 and/or optical PMDreceiver 412.

The asymmetric optical transceiver 402 as well as the optical PMDtransmitter 414 and/or optical PMD receiver 412 may be configured tooperate in one or more of a plurality of communication modes, whereineach communication mode may implement a different communicationprotocol. These communication modes may include, but are not limited toIEEE 802.3 standards 100BASE-LX10, 1000BASE-LX, 100BASE-BX10,1000BASE-BX10, 1000BASE-PX10, 1000BASE-PX20, 1000BASE-ZX, 1000BASE-SX,10GBASE-LR, 10GBASE-ER, 10GBASE-SR, 10GBASE-LRM and 10GBASE-LX4, or,other similar protocols and/or non-standard communication protocols thatenable asymmetric optical data traffic. The asymmetric opticaltransceiver 402 may be configured to operate in a particular mode ofoperation upon initialization or during operation. In some embodimentsof the invention, the communication mode 10GBASE-LX4 supporting datatransfer over four strands of fiber may be utilized, for example, fordownstream high data rate A/V traffic. In this regard, the aggregatedata rate may be distributed over the four strands of fiber.Accordingly, each of the four strands of fiber may carry lower data ratetraffic.

The optical PMD transmitter 414 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,and/or code that may enable optical transmission of data from atransmitting link partner to a remote link partner via the fiber opticcable 312 in FIG. 3, for example. In this regard, when the transmittinglink partner is an upstream link partner, the optical PMD transmitter414 may operate at a higher data rate than the data rate received fromthe downstream link partner. Similarly, when the when the transmittinglink partner is a downstream link partner, the optical PMD transmitter414 may operate at a lower data rate than the data rate received fromthe upstream link partner.

The optical PMD receiver 412 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,and/or code that may enable receiving data from a remote link partnervia the optical cable 312, for example. In this regard, when thereceiving link partner is an upstream link partner, the optical PMDreceiver 412 may operate at a lower data rate than the data ratetransmitted to the downstream link partner. Similarly, when the when thereceiving link partner is a downstream link partner, the optical PMDreceiver 412 may operate at a higher data rate than the data ratetransmitted to the upstream link partner.

The wavelength multiplexer 420 may be an optional element within theoptical transceiver 402 depending on the number and composition ofoptical channels handled relative to the number of fibers within thefiber cable 312. The wavelength multiplexer 420 may comprise suitablelogic circuitry and/or code that may enable multiplexing a plurality ofsignals comprising different wavelengths or colors on one or moreoptical fibers in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Thewavelength multiplexer 420 may enable for example, wave divisionmultiplexing (WDM), coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) ordense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). In another embodiment ofthe invention, a time division multiple access (TDMA) multiplexer may beutilized to handle a plurality of data streams within the opticaltransceiver 402. Moreover, multiple data rates may be handled bydifferent channels within the wavelength multiplexer 420 or a TDMAmultiplexer.

In operation, the link partner 400 may be an upstream link partner 302or a down stream link partner 304 as shown in FIG. 3. In variousembodiments of the invention, the link partner 400 may be configured tooperate as an upstream link partner 302. In this case, the link partner400 may be for example a video server 122 described with respect FIG. 1Athat may transmit data at a high data rate and receive data at a lowerdata rate. In this regard, the host processing block 406 may managetransmission of high data rate A/V and/or auxiliary data via the MACcontroller 404 (utilizing AVB services) and the optical transceiver 402to an optical receiver within a downstream link partner 304.Accordingly, high data rate downstream traffic may be handled by networkelements comprising for example the optical PMD transmitter 414, fibercable 312 and one or more optical receivers within the downstream linkpartner 304. In various embodiments of the invention, highlysophisticated components for example, narrow bandwidth laser diodes suchas distributed feedback (DFB) lasers, high performance fiber and/oravalanche photodiodes (APD) may be utilized for the A/V and/or auxiliarydata. In addition, signal processing techniques such as clock recoveryand pre-emphasis may be utilized.

In another embodiment of the invention, the link partner 400 may beconfigured to operate as a downstream link partner 304. In this regard,the link partner 400 may be, for example, the video panel 126 and/orspeakers 128 a and 128 b described in FIG. 1A that may receive highbandwidth A/V and/or auxiliary data at a high data rate and transmitauxiliary data at a lower rate. In this regard, the host processingblock 406 may manage transmission of the lower data rate auxiliary datavia the MAC controller 404 (utilizing AVB services) and the opticaltransceiver 402 to an optical receiver within an upstream link partner302. Accordingly, the lower data rate upstream traffic may be handled bynetwork elements comprising, for example, the optical PMD transmitter414, fiber cable 312 and one or more optical receivers within theupstream link partner 302.

In various embodiments of the invention, less sophisticated networkelements may be utilized for the lower data rate traffic, for example, aFabry-Perot laser or a light emitting diode (LED) may be utilized ratherthan a DFB laser. Moreover, lower performance or legacy fiberinfrastructure may be utilized for lower data rate traffic. In addition,the optical PMD receiver 412 in the upstream link partner may, forexample, handle the lower data rate traffic with a P-intrinsic-N (PIN)diode rather than an APD and/or may require less sophisticated signalprocessing logic, circuitry and/or code than the receivers in thedownstream link partner handling high data rate traffic.

Performance benefits and/or cost savings may be enabled by transmittingand receiving traffic at a lower data rate in the upstream direction ofan asymmetrical Ethernet optical PHY. For example, utilizing one or moreof the less sophisticated network elements for lower data rate upstreamtraffic may enable a cost saving. Notwithstanding, utilizing one or moreof the more sophisticated network elements for lower data rate upstreamtraffic may provide performance benefits such as extended lengthtransmissions and/or greater capacity per Ethernet optical link.

Additional cost and/or performance benefits may be enabled in someembodiments of the invention comprising a point-to-multipoint networktopology wherein an upstream link partner may have a plurality ofdownstream link partners. In this regard, the upstream link partner, forexample the server 122, may broadcast one stream of high data rate A/Vand/or auxiliary traffic that may be split into a plurality of opticaldata paths and transmitted to a plurality of down stream link partners.For example, a plurality of downstream link partners such as videodisplay panels 126 and/or speakers 128 a and 128 b may receive andrender the stream of high data rate A/V and/or auxiliary traffic.Accordingly, the plurality of video display panels 126 and/or speakers128 a and 128 b may transmit lower data rate upstream traffic to theserver 122. In this regard, the upstream link traffic may be multiplexedby the wavelength multiplexer 420.

In an embodiment of the invention, optical signals are communicatedbetween an upstream link partner device 122 and one or more down streamlink partner devices for example 126 and/or 128 a and 128 b, whereineach of the link partner devices 122 and 126 and/or 128 a and 128 bcomprise an asymmetric Ethernet optical physical layer (PHY) to handlethe communication. Moreover, optical communications between the linkpartners 122 and 126 and/or 128 a and 182 b are handled via A/V Bridgingservices with quality of service descriptors. The optical signalstransmitted from the upstream link partner 122 to the downstream linkpartner 126 and/or 128 a and 128 b may comprise high bandwidthaudio/video (NV) optical signals. Low bandwidth optical signals may betransmitted from the downstream link partner 126 to the upstream linkpartner 122. Protocol data units (PDUs) may be generated comprising oneor more of a time stamp value, a traffic class designation and/or adestination address.

Prior to communicating PDUs via an asymmetrical Ethernet optical PHYbetween the upstream link partner 122 and the downstream link partner126 and/or 128 a and 128 b, a data rate request message and a resourcereservation message may be generated based on one or more of a said timestamp value, a traffic class designation and/or a destination address.Furthermore, an upstream link partner 122 or downstream link partner 126may register for the deliver of the PDUs via the asymmetric Ethernetoptical PHY. The data rate within optical signals may be reduced priorto distribution of the optical signals among one or more links couplingthe upstream link partner 122 and the downstream link partner 126. Inthis regard, the aggregate data rate may be distributed evenly orunevenly among the one or more optical links coupling the upstream linkpartner 122 and the downstream link partner 126 and/or 128 a and 128 bvia the asymmetrical Ethernet optical PHY. The distributed communicationrate received from the upstream link partner 122 or the down stream linkpartner 126 and/or 128 a and 128 b may be aggregated via the asymmetricoptical PHY. The asymmetric Ethernet optical PHY may handle compressedand/or uncompressed video signals as well as encrypted o unencryptedvideo signals. Moreover, the communication optical signals may bemodified and/or processed by at least one of forward error checking(FEC) and clock recovery.

Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine-readablestorage, having stored thereon, a computer program having at least onecode section executable by a machine, thereby causing the machine toperform the steps as described herein for enabling communicating datavia an asymmetric optical physical layer (PHY) operation for EthernetA/V Bridging and Ethernet A/V Bridging extensions.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. The presentinvention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least onecomputer system or in a distributed fashion where different elements arespread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind ofcomputer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methodsdescribed herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware andsoftware may be a general-purpose computer system with a computerprogram that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computersystem such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer programproduct, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation ofthe methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer systemis able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the presentcontext means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of aset of instructions intended to cause a system having an informationprocessing capability to perform a particular function either directlyor after either or both of the following: a) conversion to anotherlanguage, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different materialform.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1-26. (canceled)
 27. A method for communicating data, the methodcomprising: in a first network device that comprises an asymmetricEthernet optical media access controller (MAC) and an asymmetricEthernet optical PHY transceiver: communicating optical signals via anetwork comprising one or more intermediate nodes, to one or morecorresponding other network devices and receiving optical signals fromsaid one or more corresponding other network devices, utilizing A/VBridging services with quality of service descriptors, wherein saidasymmetric Ethernet optical MAC and said asymmetric Ethernet optical PHYtransceiver are operable to transmit data utilizing one or more of aplurality of different rates in a first direction, and concurrently withsaid transmitting, to receive data utilizing one or more of a pluralityof other different rates in a corresponding second direction, whereinsaid asymmetric Ethernet optical MAC is operable to handle addressing ofsaid one or more other network devices and/or is operable to controlaccess to said network.
 28. The method according to claim 27, comprisingcommunicating higher bandwidth audio/video (NV) optical signals to saidone or more corresponding other network devices and receiving lowerbandwidth optical signals from said one or more corresponding othernetwork devices or communicating lower bandwidth audio/video (NV)optical signals to said one or more corresponding other network devicesand receiving higher bandwidth optical signals from said one or morecorresponding other network devices.
 29. The method according to claim27, wherein said first network device is configurable to communicateand/or receive optical signals via said network, based on one or moresingle mode Ethernet optical protocols and/or based on one or moremultimode Ethernet optical protocols.
 30. The method according to claim27, wherein said first network device is configurable to communicateoptical signals at 10 Gbps in a first direction and communicate opticalsignals at a lower rate in a second direction.
 31. The method accordingto claim 27, comprising communicating optical signals to said one ormore corresponding other network devices and/or receiving opticalsignals from said one or more corresponding other network devices inextended range mode.
 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein saidextended range mode comprises one or more of: reducing a communicationrate of at least one of said communicated optical signals and saidreceived optical signals; reducing a symbol rate of at least one of saidcommunicated optical signals and said received optical signals;utilizing longer than standard fiber optic cable lengths.
 33. The methodaccording to claim 27, comprising one or both of: generating at leastone protocol data unit (PDU) comprising one or more of a time stampvalue, a traffic class designation and/or a destination address for saidcommunicating of optical signals to said one or more corresponding othernetwork devices; and receiving at least one PDU comprising one or moreof a time stamp value, a traffic class designation and a destinationaddress for said receiving of optical signals from said one or morecorresponding other network devices.
 34. The method according to claim33, comprising one or more of requesting a data rate, generating aresource reservation message and registering a request for delivery ofdata, for one or both of: communicating said at least one PDU to saidone or more corresponding other network devices; and receiving said atleast one PDU from said one or more corresponding other network devices;via said asymmetric Ethernet optical MAC and said asymmetric Ethernetoptical PHY transceiver based on one or more of said time stamp value,said traffic class designation and/or said destination address.
 35. Themethod according to claim 33, wherein said time stamps enableintermediate optical network nodes to transport said at least one PDUalong an end to end path from said first network device to said one ormore corresponding other network devices within a specified latencytarget.
 36. The method according to claim 27, wherein said first networkdevice handles one or more of: compressed video signals; uncompressedvideo signals; encrypted video signals; unencrypted video signals; andvideo signals formatted for a video display interface.
 37. A system forcommunicating data, the system comprising: one or more processors and/orcircuits for use within a first network device, said first networkdevice comprising an asymmetric Ethernet optical media access controller(MAC) and an asymmetric Ethernet optical PHY transceiver, said one ormore processors and/or circuits being operable to: communicate opticalsignals via a network comprising one or more intermediate nodes, to oneor more corresponding other network devices and receive optical signalsfrom said one or more corresponding other network devices, utilizing A/VBridging services with quality of service descriptors, wherein saidasymmetric Ethernet optical MAC and said asymmetric Ethernet optical PHYtransceiver are operable to transmit data utilizing one or more of aplurality of different rates in a first direction, and concurrently withsaid transmitting, to receive data utilizing one or more of a pluralityof other different rates in a corresponding second direction, whereinsaid asymmetric Ethernet optical MAC is operable to handle addressing ofsaid one or more other network devices and/or is operable to controlaccess to said network.
 38. The system according to claim 37, whereinsaid one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to communicatehigher bandwidth audio/video (A/V) optical signals to said one or morecorresponding other network devices and receive lower bandwidth opticalsignals from said one or more corresponding other network devices, orcommunicate lower bandwidth audio/video (A/V) optical signals to saidone or more corresponding other network devices and receive higherbandwidth optical signals from said one or more corresponding othernetwork devices.
 39. The system according to claim 37, wherein saidfirst network device is configurable to communicate and/or receiveoptical signals via said network, based on one or more single modeEthernet optical protocols and/or based on one or more multimodeEthernet optical protocols.
 40. The system according to claim 37,wherein said first network device is configurable to communicate opticalsignals at 10 Gbps in a first direction and communicate optical signalsat a lower rate in a second direction.
 41. The system according to claim37, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable tocommunicate optical signals to said one or more corresponding othernetwork devices and/or receive optical signals from said one or morecorresponding other network devices in extended range mode.
 42. Thesystem according to claim 41, wherein said extended range mode comprisesone or more of: reducing a communication rate of at least one of saidcommunicated optical signals and said received optical signals; reducinga symbol rate of at least one of said communicated optical signals andsaid received optical signals; utilizing longer than standard fiberoptic cable lengths.
 43. The system according to claim 37, wherein saidone or more processors and/or circuits are operable to one or both of:generate at least one protocol data unit (PDU) comprising one or more ofa time stamp value, a traffic class designation and/or a destinationaddress for said communication of optical signals to said one or morecorresponding other network devices; and receive at least one PDUcomprising one or more of a time stamp value, a traffic classdesignation and a destination address for said reception of opticalsignals from said one or more corresponding other network devices. 44.The system according to claim 43, wherein said one or more processorsand/or circuits are operable to, one or more of, request a data rate,generate a resource reservation message and register a request fordelivery of data, for one or both of: communication of said at least onePDU to said one or more corresponding other network devices; andreception of said at least one PDU from said one or more correspondingother network devices; via said asymmetric Ethernet optical MAC and saidasymmetric Ethernet optical PHY transceiver based on one or more of saidtime stamp value, said traffic class designation and/or said destinationaddress.
 45. The system according to claim 43, wherein said time stampsenable intermediate optical network nodes to transport said at least onePDU along an end to end path from said first network device to said oneor more corresponding other network devices within a specified latencytarget.
 46. The system according to claim 37, wherein said first networkdevice handles one or more of: compressed video signals; uncompressedvideo signals; encrypted video signals; unencrypted video signals; andvideo signals formatted for a video display interface.